Let's Picnic!

 

 

 

 

{part 1}

With Spring comes the anticipation of picnics. Lots of them. Wheather it be dining on the bleachers at a ball game or a Sunday afternoon picnic with friends at a park. Packing a picnic can be a great alternative to purchasing pricey, un-healthy food at your favorite local drive-through.

My friend Penny asked me if I had any ideas for easy "pack up and go meals" to eat at the ball park. I thought that since I had been talking about taking meals this week, this would be the perfect time to "chat" about portable lunches/dinners. I am sure you have way more ideas than me , so...be sure to add your ideas and thoughts that work for you.

As mentioned before, I keep a stash of basic containers on hand because the LAST thing I want to do when I get home is to clean a bunch of containers-with the exception of a few glass containers and occasional utensils that can be loaded into the dishwasher.

I keep a stash of basic containers on hand just for picnics.

Depending on what we are having to eat, I pack everything into an oil cloth bag with dividers or a portable cooler on wheels {COSTCO usually carries these every spring} or both. The cooler on wheels is one of my favorites when space is NOT an issue. :)

A caady is perfect for keeping all silverware, plates, napkins etc. ready to go so that it can easily be put into your bag to go at a moments notice. If you have a hard time purchasing one...they are perfect for little kids to take carry around the table when it comes to setting the table for meals. Our children LOVED this!

Everything is packed so it doesn't spill or stain. Be sure to keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot.

Everybody gets their own container with their "main dish" or their sandwich, unless it is potluck-style where there is a picnic table to put out a large container for everyone to help themselves.

Sometimes I label the containers with the individuals name. This is helpful for those who are picky. Instead of specifying no mayo, no pickles, no meat etc. :)

I used to have such a hard time not having dinner all together at home @ 5:00 sharp every evening. It just threw me for a loop! Once I stopped pouting and decided I could make it fun, it has just been THAT...lots of exciting meals away from home and lots of memories with friends and family.

Here are some menu ideas:

drink

Caesar salad with leftover BBQ chicken-box container

dressing-condiment container

rolls with butter-cookie bag

brownie-cookie bag

drink

tortilla soup in mini Mason jars

cornbread muffin-cookie bag

tortilla chips-cookie bag

applesauce with cinnamon sugar-glass container

drink

chopped salad-box container

dressing-condiment container

focaccia bread-cookie bag

drink

tunafish sandwiches-cookie bag

pita chips-cookie bag

monster cookies-cookie bag

ginger ale

Asian rice/noodle bowl-large Chinese take-out box

molasses cookies

drink

pasta salad-large Chinese take-out box

mini focaccia loaves-cookie bag

mini cupcakes-mini Chinese take-out box

Italian Sodas-disposable cup with lid and straw in drink carrier

Turkey wraps in Lovash-wrapped in wax paper and put in box container

chips-cookie bag

apple slices-cookie bag

BBQ beef sandwiches-wrapped in wax paper and put into box container

potato salad-mini Chinese take out

carrot/celery sticks-small cup with lid

ranch dressing-condiment container

oatmeal cookies-cookie bag

strawberry lemonade-disposable cup with lid and straw

taco salad-box container

salsa and sour cream-condiment container

pineapple slices

{Individual drinks should be packed for ball games as it is NOT convenient to be passing a thermos around with cups etc. Sun tea, lemonade and water are much healthier and more cost effective than soda pop with high fructose corn syrup.}

This was originally posted 4.15.10

{part 2}

Since I got more than one e-mail wondering who else carries the containers I had mentioned in the picnic post, I decided to follow up with a second post.

RESTAURANT SUPPLY STORES ARE THE PERFECT PLACE TO PURCHASE PICNIC ESSENTIALS. Cash and Carry is my #1 choice. You can’t beat their prices. If you are limited on storage space, you may consider splitting your goods with a friend. Think about only purchasing one or two different kinds that be used for a variety of uses: leftovers, gift boxes, kids’ lunches, etc.

If you live in the middle of nowhere...Garnish carries a large selection of containers that you will LOVE! You wont even have to leave the comfort of your own home at o-dark-thirty to head out to Cash and Carry hoping the whole drive over that all of the solid white containers are not gone {AGAIN!} and to be left with the containers that still have their original "SWOOSHY" design that was all the rage in the 70's. Who knows?! I personally am in love with white, because even if you don't embellish it, it still looks classy!

If you don't purchase the products, I can guarantee you will be on the lookout for produce etc. that comes in these fancy little packages! You will become a Treasure Hunter in your own right! Just don't drive to the GOLDEN ARCHES and park your little self by the trash bin and ask people for their drink carriers, leftover napkins, ketchup packages and straws...oh and the adorable condiment containers. I'm just saying.

However, there is NOTHING wrong with asking your family and friends to save their packaging for you, though.

Now that business is taken care of here are some things I love to use:

COOKIE BAGS: great for cookies, bars, chips, some veggies etc.

DELI CONTAINER: Great for extra soup, apple slices, veggie slices, BBQ beef, ice cream

CONDIMENT CONTAINER: So nice for Ketchup, mustard, mayo, salad dressing, salsa, sour cream

SOUP CONTAINER: Can be used for packing soup, ice cream, cobbler, pasta salad, trifle etc.

PRODUCE CONTAINER: Fun to package a sandwich lunch in. Think of it as a lunchbox. {No time? Go buy a bag of french fries, bake 'em. Line the container with wax paper or a paper towel, put the fries in it along with a condiment container with ketchup and let your little athlete have a snack on the way to the game!}

BOX CONTAINER: This is awesome for everything! I even take gifts in these boxes!

P.S. These containers are amazing for picnics, but I use them for taking meals to people as well. The recipient of a delivered meal will not only be grateful for a night of no dishes, but I am pretty sure the happy dance will be taking place when it comes to having one less 9x13 in the back of the car to return!

All paper container pictures are from GARNISH

Mason Jars: Amazing portable containers that can be purchased at thrift stores, garage sales, or sometimes given away by those who are no longer canning. Ask around before you buy! You never know. These are great because there are so many different sizes. Think about toting soups, trifles, berries and cream, crisps, cobblers and pies that are hot from the oven. Just bake as you would in a ramekin, let cool a bit and screw the lid on…these can be placed in a drink carrier and they will not budge…plus they are a bit insulated.

{A pie picnic is a fun thing to do on a summer evening...pack ice cold milk, hot pies from the oven and fresh whipped cream!}

IKEA’S SLOM Bottle with Stopper: A bargain for $2.99. These may be used as an alternative to purchasing plastic water bottles. Keep them filled with filtered water ready to grab-n-go. No need to worry about a leaky thermos. The smaller ones are a great choice for de-cantering soy sauce, syrups for a breakfast picnic or other dressings for potluck-style picnics. The glass keeps things extra cold or hot! And they are so charming!

Starbucks Frappucino Mocha bottles: great for individual drinks, sauces, and flowers!

Our family favorite: Table in a bag from Crate and Barrel. We take it everywhere. It is perfect for places that don't have tables and we love it for outdoor concerts, the beach, the lake, forest picnics etc. We have even taken it to homes for little kiddos to sit around! It is on sale right now for less than $35.00!

Shared with: at the picket fence, stuff and nonsense, tidy mom, pink saturday, raising homemakers, women living well

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